Powdered Alcohol: Here’s What You Should Know

If you haven’t heard, powdered alcohol is a thing. Since its approval by the FDA in 2014, the makers of powdered alcohol have encountered strong pushback from lawmakers and the public.

Not sure what to think? Here’s everything you need to know.

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What is powdered alcohol?

Powdered alcohol, marketed as "Palcohol," is made using a process called micro-encapsulation which essentially involves the alcohol being absorbed by a sugar derivative. Just add water, stir, and you have an instant cocktail.

In 2014, the company behind Palcohol got the approval of the Treasury Department's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) for its labels - the last regulatory step before the product could be sold in stores.

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) on Palcohol

"We’ve seen vaporized alcohol, whipped cream alcohol, caffeinated alcohol—and the list goes on. While the form of alcohol might change, the issues remain the same.

As with anything “new,” this product may be attractive to youth, so MADD encourages parents to talk with their teens about the dangers of underage drinking—because alcohol is illegal for those under 21, no matter how it’s packaged.

Together, we can help prevent drunk driving and underage drinking."

NPR: How Dangerous Is Powdered Alcohol?

Click above image to listen to NPR's most recent clip on powdered alcohol.

Powdered alcohol state-by-state

As of June 2016, 32 states have permanently or temporarily banned the product, several have pending legislation to ban it, and only 3 allow regulated sales. Click the above image for more details on current state legislation.

The Debate

Since its approval in 2014, Palcohol has been a controversial product. Lawmakers and health experts alike are concerned that powdered alcohol could be abused by minors and only make binge drinking easier, or could be more easily hidden and consumed in places where people are not allowed to have alcohol. Others argue that there is no reason the drug would be more hazardous than liquid alcohol.

Currently the product is not yet available for sale and legalization remains controversial due to public health and other concerns.

Learn more about Palcohol from the creators themselves

Palcohol will be made in two different formulations, a Beverage Formulation (ingestible) and an Industrial Formulation (non-ingestible). The creators of Palcohol claim the Industrial Formulation would have vast applicability in a variety of fields, including healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. Learn more straight from the source: www.palcohol.comWhen one packet of Palcohol’s powdered alcohol, approximately 29 grams of powder, is mixed with 6 oz. of water, the resulting drink has the same alcohol content as one standard drink.